The expedition was based at Norway Station (70°30′S 02°32′W / 70.500°S 2.533°W / -70.500; -2.533) which was located on the Fimbul Ice Shelf bordering the coast of Queen Maud Land.
[1] The expedition carried out survey work and scientific studies for three-four years (1956–1960).
The expedition was intended as part of Norway's participation in the International Geophysical Year, 1957-58.
The crew set sail from Oslo on board two whaling ships, the Polarsirkel and Polarbjørn, on 10 November 1956.
[1][2][3] The expedition was led by Sigurd Gunnarson Helle, a geodesist at Norsk Polarinstitutt.